Music Investigation Homework

Spotify is a file-sharing music programme that allows users to listen to tracks for free. The programme, which is free, allows the user to listen to millions of tracks over the internet with very little buffering delay. Spotify can’t to used to download music tracks or albums, but provides the listener with options on how to buy the track.

Spotify could have a large affect on the music industry across the world. Spotify allows users with an internet connection, to listen to their favourite tracks. This programme has become a strong opposition to music companies such as iTunes and Amazon. These companies are starting to lose out as people chose to listen to the free tracks of Spotify than download or purchase tracks from high street shops or over the internet.

Last.fm is an internet based radio system that builds up a personal profile of each user. The programme compiles a database for each user by what the user listens to through radio or via music players such as iTunes. Last.fm then recommends songs or artists that may be of interest to the user. Users can also create custom radio stations and playlists from any of Last.fm’s music library, were the user is able to listen to some individual tracks on demand, or download tracks if the rights holder has previously authorised it.

Last.fm is an important area for debate as it allows users to listen to music for free. The program is another reason for the loss of revenue for music companies as users do not have to pay it listen to the track. The track can be played for an unlimited time as a penny would not go to the artist or music company.

Subculture is a group of people who have different cultural backgrounds. Subcultures can be categorised through age, race, ethnicity, class, location, and/or gender of the members of the group. These different types of subculture have an impact on the way people consume music and the style of which they like.

Urban Tribes was a term used first by French sociologist Michel Maffesoli. Maffesoli used the term to describe groups of people who share common interests. These members usually have the same dress style and like the same music genres. An example of an Urban Tribe is Goth’s. Goth’s were the same style of clothes, all black and baggy clothes. They also listen to same genre of music, which is commonly Emo, Heavy Metal and Rock.